Cablegate: Finland: I2010 Information Society Conference

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RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ
DE RUEHHE #1025 2831344
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101344Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2575
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS HELSINKI 001025

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EINT ELTN FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: I2010 INFORMATION SOCIETY CONFERENCE
ATTRACTS TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS AND VISIONARIES

1. European decision-makers and leading experts convened in
Espoo, Finland on September 28th to discuss the challenges
of the information society during the i2010 Conference,
"Towards a Ubiquitous European Information Society." The
Conference examined the opportunities and challenges that
new information and communications technologies are bringing
to European citizens, businesses and government leaders,
with a focus on increasing European competitiveness.

2. Ms. Susanna Huovinen, Finland's Minister of Transport and
Communications, hosted the Conference which featured many
business and government leaders including Ms. Viviane
Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and
Media, and Jorma Ollila, Chairman of Nokia.

3. The presentations focused on "ubiquitous services" that
will increasingly influence the way in which individuals
live and work due to having ICT services available at all
times and in all places delivered through wireless
connections and the interoperability of data. The
Conference highlighted the impacts of new technology on data
security, e-services and communication networks.

4. Several speakers touched on the importance of developing
a common European standard for mobile TV. The European
Commission is planning to publish a mobile TV development
plan early next year.

5. Presenters also called for supporting new technology
applications for the transportation industry such as "eCall"
in cars, a technology that can call emergency dispatch
centers. Minister Huovinen called on the remaining EU
member countries to support eCall by allocating part of
their broadcast frequencies for this emerging technology
with potential lifesaving benefits.

6. Presidency Conclusions were published in connection with
the Conference, including policy guidelines for the main
activities involved in the EU's i2010 information society
strategy. The final conclusions will be discussed during
the Council of Telecommunications Ministers in December.

7. The Conference was arranged by Finland's Ministry of
Transport and Communications in cooperation with the
European Commission and the European Network and Information
Security Agency, ENISA. Further information can be found
at: http://eu2006.mintc.fi/communications/i2010/.

HYATT

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